Year
2014
Abstract
This pap er contributes to the literature on proliferation risks of small modular reactors. After a general discussion of SMR developments, in the main section of this paper we present an analysis of a generic sodium cooled fast reactor which is designed to sustain an exceptional lifetime of 30 years, similar to concepts such as the Toshiba 4S. For this reactor, material composition over lifetime is calculated and its material attractiveness compared to (spent) fuel from other reactor types. Depletion calculations show that a significant amount of plutonium is being produced over time with an isotopic composition highly attractive for military purposes.